Chapter 127
Chapter 127: Just Show the Result. (1)
After finishing their conversation with Marquis Branford, Ghislaine and his group followed the butler to find Rosalyn.
Soldiers were deployed all around the marquis’s residence, as if to say that escaping was out of the question.
Belinda, anxiously glancing around, tugged at Ghislaine’s collar and whispered, “Young Master! What on earth are you thinking? How did things get so out of hand?”
Out of the blue, he had shown up, claiming he could treat the symptoms of the daughter in exchange for some wish. It was an utterly ridiculous proposal by any measure.
‘No, I mean, he has always been like this. But this time, the opponent is way too influential. Pressuring the most powerful figure in the kingdom!’
Among the nobles, there were those with a temper who would execute their servants for the smallest mistakes.
The stronger the noble’s power, the more brutally they tended to act.
‘You can’t think of them like the Mages’ Tower. At least the wizards wouldn’t recklessly kill nobles…’
And, crucially, Marquis Branford wasn’t in a position that desperately needed Ghislaine’s help like the Mages’ Tower.
‘Ugh, I’ve been too lax lately since nothing’s been happening.’
Recently, Ghislaine had been doing well in everything he attempted, and it had caused them to overlook the gravity of the situation.
‘I should have asked about what was happening before coming to the marquis’s residence!’
Biting her nails, Belinda glared at Ghislaine.
Gillian lowered his head to hide his gaze and assessed their escape route.
“If it seems like things are going wrong, please let me know. I will take the lead and clear the way.”
Despite everyone’s worry, Ghislaine merely smiled.
Seeing Ghislaine’s confident grin, they could only let out a collective sigh.
Just like always, all they could do was pray for success.
Claude began to devise a plan to take the marquis’s daughter hostage if things went awry.
‘Considering the marquis’s personality, it probably won’t work… But you never know.’
For a kidnapping, it was basic to gather information about the target.
Marquis Branford was so famous that even Claude from another kingdom knew of him.
But he didn’t know much about Lady Rosalyn.
Claude cautiously asked the butler beside him, “Um… What kind of person is the young lady?”
“Well, you may not be familiar with her since she’s from the North. However, she was quite famous in the capital in the past.”
“For what?”
Claude pursed his lips discreetly. Surely it wasn’t for swordsmanship or magic, right? Then it would be difficult to abduct her.
The butler continued with a look of regret.
“Ah, as a child, she was exceptionally bright. After the marquis’s wife returned to her family, she took charge of all the household matters herself.”
“She didn’t do anything else besides household management?”
The butler furrowed his brows and retorted sharply.
“Oh dear, to dismiss the marquis’s affairs as mere household management! Do you have any idea how tough it is to manage a noble family’s responsibilities as a chief officer of a territory?”
“Ah… My apologies…”
Claude scratched his head and mumbled. The butler glared at him and continued explaining.
“Ahem, anyway, that’s not all. She also supports various organizations.”
With pride, the butler began to elaborate on just how remarkable Rosalyn was.
“When it comes to our young lady…”
Ghislaine’s associates couldn’t help but be astonished as they listened to the butler’s descriptions.
The number of titles attached to her was unbelievable for a mere individual.
‘Patron of the Cardenia Textile Guild.’
‘Patron of the Cardenia Stonecutter Guild.’
‘Patron of the Cardenia Carpenter Guild.’
‘Patron of the Cardenia Sculptor Guild.’
‘Patron of the Cardenia Glass Craft Guild.’
‘Patron of the Cardenia Natural Philosophy Association.’
‘Patron of the Cardenia Astronomy Association.’
‘Former Vice President of the Gentle Ladies’ Reading Discussion Club.’
‘Former Vice President of the Gentle Ladies’ Tea Tasting Event.’
…and so on.
From natural sciences to literature, arts, and philosophy organizations, the fields she influenced were vast.
Even after falling ill, she continued her patronage, actively participating in operations.
Claude tightly shut his mouth, his eyes darting around.
‘So the person we’re going to treat is someone like that. If anything goes wrong, we might really end up in trouble!’
The butler seemed to have more to share, speaking passionately.
“Moreover, her personality is another matter. She’s always calm, kind to everyone, has a gentle heart, and wouldn’t utter a harsh word!”
“A kind-hearted person, that’s music to my ears.”
Claude’s eyes sparkled. With such a personality, she might let them off even if they made a mistake.
“Indeed. She regularly provides necessities for the needy in the capital. If she hadn’t been forced into seclusion due to her illness, she would have likely done even more by now.”
Ghislaine’s associates were captivated by the butler’s praises and couldn’t help but admire Rosalyn.
The more they learned, the more impressive she seemed. She held power just like her father, Marquis Branford!
But Ghislaine appeared indifferent, as if he already knew everything.
No, he looked like he didn’t care at all. It didn’t even seem like he was listening to the butler.
Claude sighed as he glanced at him.
‘Where on earth does that confidence come from?’
That occasional bravado was utterly incomprehensible.
Still, at least it was fortunate that the young lady had a good personality.
Belinda seemed a bit relieved as she asked in a softer voice, “By the way… I heard you’re getting married soon. Even while you’re unwell, you’re planning to proceed, I see?”
Countless people had their eyes glued to every move of the Branford family.
Rumors about the marquis’s daughter getting married had already spread widely in the capital.
Even Ghislaine’s group, which had just arrived in the capital, was aware of it.
The butler, a bit annoyed by Belinda’s question, replied, “Honestly, if it weren’t for her health issues, such a match wouldn’t have even been proposed. The counterpart is a well-known idle lord in the capital… Ahem, I shouldn’t say too much.”
“Ah, so is it that because of the illness, she has no choice but to marry someone she doesn’t like?”
“Well, it’s not entirely just that…”
The butler hesitated, trailing off.
Claude clicked his tongue inwardly and redirected the conversation.
“Well, since she’s a good person, I’m sure she’ll get along well with her husband. Having such a wonderful person is a great blessing for the marquis’s family. Hahaha.”
As the butler continued to heap on compliments, his expression suddenly darkened.
“…She used to be like that.”
“…?”
Before Claude could ask what he meant, they arrived in front of Rosalyn’s room.
Knock knock.
The butler carefully knocked on the door. A small voice came from inside.
“…What is it? It’s too early for a meal.”
Upon hearing the voice, Claude immediately felt something was off.
In the low, restrained tone, there was an undercurrent of unrecognizable hatred and resentment.
‘Something’s strange. Why does her voice sound like that?’
Claude wasn’t the only one to sense something odd.
Ghislaine also frowned and tilted his head.
The butler cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to ease the tension, then spoke loudly.
“A guest has arrived.”
“…A guest?”
“Someone has come to check on your condition at the marquis’s order. It’s Baron Penris.”
“…Send them away.”
She said this irritably.
But the butler couldn’t turn back now.
The marquis had already commanded Ghislaine to begin the treatment. No one in this mansion could disobey that order.
Not even Rosalyn herself.
The butler let out a deep sigh before stating again, “It’s the marquis’s command.”
“…I said to send him back.”
“I’m sorry. I will open the door. Everyone, be cautious.”
“Eh? Cautious about what…?”
The butler shut his eyes tight and flung the door open. Then he immediately dove behind the door to hide.
The other servants followed closely behind him.
Swish!
As soon as the door opened, something flew through the dark room at a rapid speed.
“Eh?”
Ghislaine looked dumbfounded, slightly tilting his head.
The object soaring from the front narrowly missed Ghislaine’s face and headed straight for Claude.
“Ugh!”
Claude closed his eyes in shock. Fortunately, Wendy, who was beside him, quickly caught the flying object.
“A candlestick?”
In Wendy’s hand was a candlestick adorned with splendid decorations.
If he had been hit by it, Claude would have surely been injured badly.
He couldn’t help but chuckle in disbelief.
‘What is this? She’s supposed to be gentle and kind!’
Instead of a good-natured demeanor, her method of greeting was so violent it raised doubts about her humanity.
Noble ladies never do such things in front of others.
Doing so would bring disgrace upon themselves as well as their family.
Yet here was the marquis’s daughter doing it with such nonchalance!
The butler, looking awkward, cleared his throat repeatedly and tried to explain.
“Ahem, she’s not usually like this… It seems she’s been a bit on edge lately.”
‘Considering she dodged well as we opened the door, it doesn’t seem to be a one-time occurrence.’
The other servants were huddled tightly behind the butler, trembling in fear.
As Claude narrowed his eyes at him, the butler subtly turned his head away, avoiding his gaze.
Just as Claude was about to open his mouth to question what had happened, a sharp voice erupted from inside the room.
“I told you to go away! What treatment is this again? Just leave me alone!”
Swish!
Something kept flying through the dark space.
Candlesticks, books, cups, plates, frames, ceramics, incense burners—anything of considerable weight was shot out indiscriminately.
The butler and servants remained pressed against the wall, avoiding the onslaught. Everything flying was aimed at Ghislaine’s group.
But they were no ordinary people. They dodged or deflected every incoming object.
Soon, a panicked voice came from the room.
“Who are you people? What is this? Do you want to die? Before I tear you apart, get out now! Butler, what are you doing? Bring the soldiers!”
The person who supposedly had never spoken a harsh word was now spouting threats of tearing people apart like it was second nature.
Clearly, this wasn’t someone who had merely muttered a curse a few times.
“Um…”
Caught completely off guard, Ghislaine was genuinely bewildered.
The records he had seen in his previous life didn’t mention Rosalyn Branford having such a foul temper.
The reason for his surprise was different, but his associates looked just as stunned, staring at the butler with blank expressions.
With a click, the butler subtly closed the door again and cleared his throat.
“Ahem, I think it’s best to give the young lady a moment to cool off.”
Claude could no longer hold back and protested, “But you said she had a good personality and a kind heart! She doesn’t speak harshly!”
“…That’s what she used to be like.”
“What do you mean?”
“She was truly like an angel before she fell ill. Believe me.”
“Wow… This is absurd.”
The butler’s bold proclamation came off as particularly shameless. Claude was left speechless at the ridiculousness of it all.
Despite her outrageous temperament, he was unwaveringly defending his lady.
After a short while, the room fell silent. The butler grinned awkwardly.
“She must have calmed down a bit now.”
Creeeak…
The butler opened the door very cautiously this time.
Fortunately, nothing flew at them.
Ghislaine’s group finally felt relieved and cautiously peered inside the room.
Inside stood a woman backlit by darkness.
The clothes she wore were plain and unbefitting for the daughter of a marquis.
A mask obscured her face to hide her skin, and she wore gloves on her hands.
The hallway light illuminated the mask through the open door.
From the gap of the mask, sharp eyes pierced through, glaring at the visitors.
Gulp.
They could only swallow dry breaths, unable to step further into the room.
Rosalyn slowly opened her mouth, her voice sounding submerged in emotion and heavy with darkness.
“Go away. Before I kill all of you.”
